The event has 6 sections: Open, Under 2200, Under 1900, Under 1600, Under 1300 and Under 1000. Each section has either a 3-day schedule (December 26-28) or 2-day schedule (December 27-28) to participate in.

The tournament format is 6-round Swiss, with time control 40/110, SD/30, d10.

Open Section: $1200-600-300-200, clear or tiebreak win $50 bonus, top Under 2300 or unrated $500-250.
Under 2200 Section: $1000-500-250-125, top U2000 or unrated $500-250.
Under 1900 Section: $1000-500-250-125, top U1700 (no unrated) $400-200.
Under 1600 Section: $800-400-200-100, top U1400 (no unrated) $300-150.
Under 1300 Section: $500-250-125-75, top U1100 (no unrated) $200-100.
Under 1000 Section: $200-100-60-40, trophies to first 5, top Under 800, Under 600, Under 400, Unrated.
Unrated may not win over $100 in U1000, $200 in U1300, $350 U1600, or $500 U1900.